Drip catcher

ABSTRACT

Present invention derives great advantage from the absolute simplicity and effectiveness of all configurations that intercept and collect objectionable or even dangerous drippage below a liquid dispensing spout or other such device before the liquid can run down the sides of its container. In primary application, Drip Catcher is a one-piece channel-shaped annular trough secured around the neck of a household dishwashing detergent bottle, as an example, immediately below the pouring spout. Subject invention is adaptable even to large vessels such as drums.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application benefits from filing date of Mar. 28, 2001 ofProvisional Patent Application No. 60/279,042 as evidenced by USPTOFiling Receipt Confirmation No. 8939 dated Jun. 27, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Non-applicable.

BACKGROUND

[0003] 1. Field of Invention

[0004] Present invention relates to the objectionable dripping of liquiddown sides of any dispensers such as those containing dishwashingdetergent Further, a drip catcher installed on a container of toxic orcorrosive liquid would serve as a safety element. There are many otherapplications of subject invention that confer benefit by theinterception, collection and retention of drippage from a dispensingspout or outlet before the fluid can run down the sides of thecontainer, in all environments including industrial and involvingliquids of any viscosity or corrosiveness.

[0005] 2. Background of Prior Art

[0006] Thorough due diligence in patent searching produced no referenceto prior art directed to the specific application of any configurationof subject invention, and only two patents appeared to be ofconsequence.

[0007] The only prior art bearing any similarity to subject invention isGranberg (U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,816) who teaches a drip catcher that isinserted into the neck of a bottle or similar container, is heart-shapedand grooved at upper end. The Granberg device addresses an entirelydifferent method, and is not directed to the same function as performedby my invention.

[0008] Another patent in a similar field is Iggulden (U.S. Pat. No.6,325,247) whose device comprises a band of absorbent material placedaround the neck of the fluid container. Utility of Iggulden's device isexhausted when saturated, and may be dangerous if this condition is notdealt with and a fresh band of material installed before the fluid beingabsorbed overflows the band of material and runs down the sides of itscontainer. Importantly, Iggulden will not be effective when placed tocontain a flow of high viscosity.

SUMMARY

[0009] Present invention meets the persistent but unmet need for asimple but effective easily cleaned device attachable to and easilydetachable from any liquid-dispensing container, designed to catch andretain drippage immediately below the delivery spout or other suchelement.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0010] Primary object of subject invention is to make available in themarketplace a simple, inexpensive but effective device to catch andretain liquid immediately below its spout or other delivery device, thatotherwise would run down the side of its dispensing vessel. Primaryadvantage is the ability to quickly install the Drip Catcher on anydispensing vessel, even a large drum, and so prevent fouling of handsand puddling of liquid at base of dispensing container, or worse.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION—GENERAL

[0011] Present invention derives advantage from its absolute simplicity.In primary configuration, it is a one-piece annular trough-like devicesecured immediately below the pouring spout or other discharge elementof any liquid dispensing vessel to prevent drippage from furtherdownward progress on sides of the container.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Preferred embodiment of Drip Catcher is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3,and 4 of Drawings, and is formed of a semi-rigid but compressiblerecycled plastic material, and has all essential features permitting itsoperating as an annular channel-shaped trough tightly surrounding theneck of a liquid-dispensing vessel. A raised outer flange and slightlyraised inner flange are separated by means of a floor common to the twoflanges. The perimeter of a centered hole, that is sized and configuredto fit around the container neck supporting the pouring spout, bears theraised inner flange which is configured to be inwardly compressedagainst the neck as the pouring spout is tightened.

OPERATION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] To affix Drip Catcher the spout of parent liquid-dispensingvessel is removed, the inventive device is slipped over the neck of theparent vessel and the spout returned to its previous position andtightened over inner flange of Drip Catcher.

[0014] In practice, Drip Catcher periodically will have to be removedand easily cleaned by means of washing away the retained liquid under afaucet.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION—ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Most obvious alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6of Drawings, but other optional embodiments are conspicuously evident.All attach to liquid-dispensing containers immediately below spout orother liquid delivery system, and operate alike to prevent downwardprogress of drippings. In some embodiments, a rigid material is usedrather than one that is compressible, or an expandable material may beutilized if indicated by the nature of the application. In allapplications, Drip Catcher is configured to conform to the surface ontowhich it is to be attached, such as threading, and the inner surface ofthe inner flange of Drip Catcher made of compressible material may belaterally grooved or ridged to further improve compressive fit.

[0016] Drip. Catcher may be configured to be installed around the top ofa large drum as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which it is not onlytightened securely by means of a clamping lever but itself may act asthe dispensing device by means of liquid delivery through a spoutinstalled through the rim of the outer flange, or a trough-like spoutconfigured into the top of that rim. In the event the perimeter of acontainer is irregular, the Drip Catcher seal may be improved by meansof the insertion of a compressible liner to be tightened betweencontainer and inventive device.

FABRICATION OF DRIP CATCHER

[0017] Simplicity of configuration permits preferred embodiment ofpresent invention to be fabricated by means of mass production moldingor die-casting, when material used is of a flowable nature. Malleablesheet metals may enable present invention to be formed by means ofdie-stamping, and rigid metals may be formed by means of simplemachining.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0018] Simplicity of design and manufacture permit Drip Catcher to solvea multiplicity of applications in which presence of liquid drippage downsides of liquid-dispensing containers is objectionable or dangerous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS SHOWN IN DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 Side view of Drip Catcher with raised inner flange.

[0020]FIG. 2 Bottom view of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 3 Top view of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 4 Cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 5 Cross-sectional view of optional Drip Catcher having noraised inner flange.

[0024]FIG. 6 Cross-sectional view of optional Drip Catcher havingthreaded inner flange.

[0025]FIG. 7 Show Drip Catcher installed on liquid-dispensing bottle.

[0026]FIG. 8 Shows top view of upper rim of large drum with compressiblefiller lining installed under Drip Catcher, which has drain in outerflange and secured by means of hand clamp.

[0027]FIG. 9 Side sectional view of Drip Catcher tightened over fillerlining around rim of large drum.

[0028]FIG. 10 Section view B-B through Drip Catcher fitted with drain inouter flange, tightened around drum over filler lining.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] Part No. 1 Outer raised flange

[0030] Part No. 2 Inner raised flange

[0031] Part No. 3 Center Hole

[0032] Part No. 4 Floor or Drip Catcher

[0033] Part No. 5 Neck of parent liquid-dispensing container

[0034] Part No. 6 Filler lining

[0035] Part No. 7 Drain pipe treaded to receive plug

[0036] Part No. 8 Threaded plug for drain pipe

[0037] Part No. 9 Typical clamping device to secure modified DripCatcher around rim of large drum.

I claim: 1 A Drip Catcher, comprising a channel-shaped annular trough 2the channel-shaped annular trough of claim 1 is formed of any rigid ornon-rigid solid material. 3 The channel-shaped annular trough of claim 2is configured to encompass perimeter of parent liquid dispensingcontainer at position Drip Catcher is affixed. 4 The channel-shapedannular trough of claim 3 is configured to catch and retain any liquid.5 The channel-shaped annular trough of claim 4 is configured withcentral hole shaped to conform with configuration of perimeter ofliquid-dispensing container to which Drip Catcher is affixed. 6 A DripCatcher comprising a channel-shaped annular trough 7 The channel-shapedannular trough of claim 6 is configured with raised flanges at inner andouter perimeters. 8 The channel-shaped annular trough of claim 7 isconfigured with inner perimeter surface of raised inner flangeconforming to perimeter surface configuration of parent liquiddispensing container to which it is affixed. 9 A Drip Catcher comprisinga channel-shaped annular trough 10 The channel-shaped annular troughclaim 9 is configured with floor between outer and inner flanges. 11 Thechannel-shaped annular trough of claim 10 is configured with floorcanted outwardly.